Knowing how to react after getting struck by a car might not be on your radar, but it should be. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrians killed by a moving motor vehicle jumped more than five percent in 2020, despite the pandemic shutting down a considerable amount of traffic. One of the most common reasons why we see increases in pedestrian accidents with each passing year concerns the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Reasons aside, you should know what to do immediately after getting hit by a car. Call 911 Calling 911 does two important things. First, it alerts the nearest law enforcement agency about the accident. The officers responding to the scene of a car accident involving a pedestrian conduct a thorough investigation that leads to the submission of the formal police report. Second, calling 911 activities the medical emergency response system. You might not be physically able to call 911, which means a witness to the accident should do it for you. Receive Immediate Medical Care Receiving medical care can help you recover faster from the injuries sustained because of a pedestrian car accident. The closest emergency room is the place where you receive critical, even life-saving medical care. Even if you feel healthy enough to remain at the scene of the auto collision, you should eventually get medical care to detect any delayed symptoms, such as those that develop from whiplash or a concussion. Take Photographs of Your Injuries One important type of evidence to submit when filing an insurance claim and/or a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages involves photographs of your injuries. You should take photos of every injury associated with the vehicle collision, as well as document each injury by writing down detailed descriptions. The personal injury attorney that you hire needs to present the medical evidence to justify requesting a value for compensation. Copies of medical bills and records also provide persuasive evidence for an insurance company and a civil court judge to review. Receive the Formal Police Report As the most influential type of evidence presented for a personal injury claim and civil lawsuit, the formal police report presents a detailed description of what transpired before, during, and after the other party’s car struck you. The formal police report also includes statements made by witnesses, which your personal injury lawyer needs to have to present as supporting evidence. Towards the end of the formal police report, a section should include information that assigns blame for the party or parties that caused the accident. Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Personal Injury Attorney Hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your pedestrian car accident case improves the chances of you receiving compensation for your injuries. Your attorney helps you file a convincing insurance claim, as well as a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages to recover the costs associated with your injuries.
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Car accidents cause a wide variety of injuries that vary in severity depending on many factors, such as the speed both cars have traveled and where the impact is made on both vehicles. The most serious type of injury is called a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which develops when a strong collision causes significant damage to the brain. TBI represents one of the most common reasons why a victim of an auto collision develops a disability. It also is one of the most common causes of death among victims of vehicle collisions.
If you sustained a TBI as the result of a car accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation that you deserve to recover financial losses. What Are the Most Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries? According to researchers at Northeastern University, TBI is defined by two broad categories: Open and closed. An open TBI, which is often referred to as a penetrating brain injury, means the skull has fractured or has been penetrated by an object. Closed traumatic brain injuries result in a strong impact on the head, but the skull does not fracture. Sustaining a closed TBI is more common in cases of car accidents Let’s review the most common types of injuries that negatively impact the performance of the brain. Concussion Most concussions are considered a milder version of a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms of a concussion include memory loss, as well as issues with speech, vision, and/or coordination. The most effective treatment is the passage of time, as a healthcare provider cannot apply any techniques to heal the internal injury. Because the symptoms of a concussion frequently do not develop right away, working with an experienced car accident attorney can determine if you qualify to receive the financial assistance approved by an insurance company or even the monetary damages awarded during a civil lawsuit. Contusion A contusion represents a form of bruising that develops under the skin as the result of a strong impact made to the head. It is often connected to the development of concussion symptoms, and if not diagnosed in a timely manner, can lead to serious medical consequences. If the bleeding does not stop, a victim might have to undergo a delicate type of surgery that relieves pressure on the brain. An untreated contusion that does not stop bleeding can develop into a life-threatening medical condition. Hematoma A hematoma represents a common form of TBI that happens when the blood vessels in the brain rupture and the blood starts to clot as the body tries to stop the bleeding. Hematomas differ in size, with an above-average size hematoma applying tremendous pressure on the brain. The size of the blood clot determines the seriousness of the symptoms, which might require surgery to diminish or eliminate. Financial Impact of a TBI According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year throughout the United States. Lifetime medical expenses can exceed $4 million to treat and rehabilitate the symptoms. Physical therapy alone can cost as much as $1 million over a victim’s lifetime. The daily costs associated with treating a TBI right after a car accident average $8,000 per day. If you have sustained a TBI that resulted from the impact of a vehicle collision, act with a sense of urgency by contacting an experienced car accident lawyer. |
AuthorSince 1982, the attorneys of Schiff & Associates have provided our clients with quality legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. Our clients benefit from the combined skills of a powerful legal team. Archives
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